1968 Volvo P1800S

Description

Restored about 5 years ago including bare metal repaint in Volvo Light Green; sparingly used since; overdrive gearbox; Minilite-style alloys; very smart indeed

Volvo’s stylish P1800 was designed in 1957 by Swede Pelle Petterson while working at Italian design house Frua. It was originally planned that Karmann would build the cars but after many delays they pulled out and production did not actually begin until 1961, the first 6,000 cars being built by Jensen in the UK, before production moved to Gothenburg in 1963. It was at this point that the model was designated the P1800S.

Based on the shortened floorplan of the Amazon saloon, it shared many of the Amazon’s mechanicals with independent front suspension, a coil sprung live rear axle and disc/drum brakes. Power came from Volvo’s trusty B18 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox with optional overdrive. Fitted with twin SU carbs and pumping out some 115bhp, it could propel the coupe to over 100mph and keep it there all day.

Despite a hefty price tag of £1,800 in the UK (more than an E-Type Jaguar), sales were brisk from the start and received a significant boost when Roger Moore’s Simon Templar was seen running around in a white one in the cult TV series ‘The Saint’ from 1962 until 1969.

First registered in London in February 1968, this P1800S has had six owners from new, according to the V5C, our vendor acquiring the car in 2018 at which point it had been off the road for many years.

In 2019 it was completely stripped down with the glass, interior and engine all removed. The body was professionally restored with new front wings and rear valance before being repainted in Volvo Light Green (code 91), a period colour which suits it really well. All the exterior brightwork was replaced as required, including new stainless steel bumpers, chrome side strips, front grille etc. A new set of Minilite-style alloys were also fitted.

The B18B 1.8 twin-carb engine (which is suitable for unleaded petrol) was found to be in good condition, needing nothing more than a thorough service, as was the 4-speed overdrive gearbox (a desirable factory option). A new wiring loom was fitted along with Powerspark electronic ignition, a new uprated aluminium radiator and a new ribbed aluminium rocker cover. The brakes, steering and suspension were all refurbished as required with various new parts fitted.  

Being a 1968 model it retains the attractive aluminium dash and blue-faced instruments which were replaced by imitation wood and black and white dials from 1969 onwards. We are told that all the instruments work as they should, including the clock which was converted to a quartz mechanism, but the rev counter stopped working when the electronic ignition was fitted (it worked fine when the points were still fitted).

The seats were retrimmed in black leather and a new set of carpets fitted along with a new black leather dash top. A retro-style DAB radio was also fitted with a pair of Dibeisi speakers on the rear parcel shelf.

Although there are no invoices to show exactly what work has been done to the car, there are notes from the vendor detailing the main points plus an album of photos which document much of the process (some of which are reproduced here). A Brooklands workshop manual is also present, along with an original and highly detailed Volvo factory parts catalogue in Swedish and in English.

Since the restoration was completed the car has been kept garaged and used lightly in fine weather only, mainly to attend local shows. As you can see in the photos, it looks to be in very good shape both above and below and has been starting promptly and running sweetly as we have moved it around on site, with good 50psi oil pressure.

Widely considered to be the best-looking Volvo ever made, the P1800 is also exceptionally durable and easy to maintain – American Irv Gordon famously clocked up over 3.25 million miles in his P1800S before he passed away in 2018 and it was still on its original engine. This beauty only shows 94,072 miles so it will probably outlast us all…

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com